Anthony Davis bounced back in style Saturday night against the Houston Rockets, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 122-109 victory with a 29-point performance. Playing a secondary, yet equally impactful, role was rookie Cooper Flagg, who has emerged as a central figure for the team throughout the season.
Despite the Mavericks’ overall struggles, Flagg has been a bright spot in Davis’s absence. After another standout showing from the rookie on Saturday, Davis made his admiration clear, praising Flagg’s rapid development and his growing importance within the Mavericks’ system.
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Anthony Davis Highlights Cooper Flagg’s Growth Under Pressure
Flagg has electrified the league since his arrival, rewriting the record books week after week with a maturity far beyond his years. His latest outing wasn’t a historic performance, but it was undeniably crucial as the Mavericks continue their climb back into the Western Conference picture.
The rookie delivered another well-rounded effort, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks on 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%). Davis, meanwhile, posted a dominant 29 points and eight rebounds on an incredibly efficient 73.7% from the field (14-of-19).
Even though Houston was shorthanded, Dallas controlled the game from the start, building a 22-point fourth-quarter lead and cruising to the win. After the game, Davis spoke at length about Flagg’s development and how the rookie is already comfortable holding his veteran teammates accountable.
“He’s playing free. We just want everybody to play free,” Davis said. “Obviously, he’s going to draw a lot of attention because of who he is, and he has a target on his back, and they’re gonna put the toughest wing defender on him, trying to pressure him and all that. He’s starting to figure out how to face the pressure and where his spots are on the floor. He’s making big plays.”
Davis then shared a moment that perfectly captures Flagg’s competitive spirit:
“I got onto him tonight about rebounding. He gave up a couple of offensive rebounds, and he only had five rebounds, and he looked at me and said, ‘Well, you only got five too.’ There was no excuse that I could give him, but he wants to be held accountable; he wants to be great.”
Flagg now averages 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 47.5% shooting this season. After securing Rookie of the Month honors for November, his growth is translating into wins as the Mavericks have taken four of their last five.
With the victory, Dallas improved to 9–16 and now sits 12th in the Western Conference. The Mavericks return to action on December 12, when they host the Brooklyn Nets at home.